Ilam: Land of Tea Garden

Ilam District,a part of Mechi zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Ilam as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,703 km² and has a population (2001) of 282,806. It is situated at a distance of 600kms appx from Kathmandu. The highest point is Sandakpur with lies on an elevation of 3000m. Ilam also attracts many researchers who come here to research on rare birds and the Red Panda. Ilam stretches from Terai belt to the upper hilly belt of this Himalayan nation.

The name Ilam is derived from a Limbu language meaning "Ii" means Twisted and "Lam" means Road.

Ilam is a today one of the most developed places in Nepal. Its tea ILAM TEA is very famous and exported to many parts of Europe. The main source of income in this district is tea, cardamom, milk, ginger and potato.

This place als has a religious importance. The devi temples has a great importance attached with it and lots of people come here just for pilgrimage.

The major attraction of Ilam is the 9-cornered Mai Pokhari lake. Also Known as the abode of the goddess lots of tourists as well as Nepalese people come to visit this lake.